British telecom firm Vodafone has clinched a strategic partnership with Russia-based Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) OJSC, which includes collaboration on future technological developments.

According to the sources, the non-equity partnership agreement has been signed to offer clientele with high quality communication services.

The pact would also offer Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) access to products, services and devices from Vodafone for its markets of operation in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Armenia.

The sources further revealed that Vodafone will also open a representative office in Moscow with the aim to work together with MTS on future offerings and customer services. The conglomerate’s products will be made available to MTS's 87 million subscribers, including more than 60 million customers in Russia.

The company officials said that MTS will be able to draw on Vodafone's expertise in setting up and developing third generation (3G) networks and mobile broadband products...to increase quality and further improve the efficiency of its operations.

According to the reports, the joint venture with MTS will give Vodafone valuable insight into the opportunities of the important telecommunications markets of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which are among the fastest growing in the globe.

While commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mikhail Shamolin, MTS CEO and President stated,“Vodafone's commercial insights and technical expertise will translate into significant operational efficiencies for MTS over the long-term as we transition our networks to 3G and beyond.”